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(This is a special news release that has come from the agency that is working with Bandai to celebrate Tamagotchi's 10th anniversary, in Great Britain. I hope some of our members can make it to the party!)

IT’S A VIRTUAL BIRTHDAY!

Tamagotchi hits the big 10!

Tony Blair and Tamagotchi have something in common!

British Tamagotchi fans, if you remember your first Tamagotchi, you’ll be amazed to know that the original virtual pet is celebrating its 10th anniversary this month. In fact, Tamagotchi was launched on the same day as Tony Blair came into power! Back in May 1997, hundreds of people queued in the rain to be the first to get their hands on the world’s first virtual pet. Toys ‘R’ Us in Brent Cross, London, was the first place in the UK to receive a shipment of the toy, selling out within hours of them arriving.

To celebrate that anniversary, Bandai UK is planning a special party on May 31 in Brent Cross. They'll have limited edition Golden Tamagotchis to GIVE AWAY, as well as other Tama-themed goodies. (We'll have more details on that as they become available.)

The launch of Tamagotchi not only created a brand new toy category but spawned countless virtual pet imitators – none of which have reached the phenomenon status of the original.

Since 1996, more than 65 million Tamagotchis have been sold worldwide with over 4.5 million in the UK and Ireland alone! Over 100 different colour variations have been released – and several sophisticated technology upgrades. The first Tamagotchi was the world’s first portable virtual pet – it allowed users to feed, clean and play games. Bad caregivers would see their pets travel back to the virtual Tamagotchi Planet! As technology developed and became more sophisticated, so did the Tamagotchi – the Tamagotchi Connexion series was launched in 2004 and included the hugely innovative infrared function, enabling users to connect, communicate and even have Tama-babies!

The latest incarnation, Tamagotchi Connexion Jinsei which was launched in Jan 07, retains all the fun features but now Tamagotchis can grow up to have fun careers – but only if they are schooled properly! You can also see and interact with you favourite Tamagotchi on the official website http://www.tamagotchieurope.com .

Brent Cross shopping centre in North London, UK is not far away from where I live, but sadly, I am not going to be in London on 31 May, so I won't get a chance to fight my way thru all the other tama fans and try to get a Golden Tamagotchi.... (even if there's a "Tony" type character on the screen)